GreenSaver applauds Canada's first Green Energy Act

Monday, February 23rd 2009 4:34:26pm

(Toronto, ON, February 23, 2009) Today, the province of Ontario tabled legislation that will focus on renewable energy, energy conservation and creating a new, green economy.

Premier McGuinty's Green Energy Act manages to address some very important issues. If passed, the legislation will streamline the environmental assessment process for renewable energy projects, ensuring that local by-laws do not stand in the way of renewable energy projects

Also included in the Act are incentive programs, assistance for low income Ontarians and a requirement to label the Energy Efficiency of all homes at time of sale. Mandatory labeling was proposed by Ottawa-Orléans MPP Phil McNeely when he introduced Bill 101 last September.

"GreenSaver commends Mr. McGuinty, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure George Smitherman and their colleagues for including this very effective and practical step towards combating climate change," said Vladan Vlejovic, President of GreenSaver. "We fully support the Green Energy Act, and hope to play an integral role in its success."

Last year, GreenSaver formed a partnership with the Ontario Association of Home Inspectors (OAHI), which will train home inspectors to conduct energy audits.

"GreenSaver is uniquely able to provide the assessments, energy efficiency upgrades and training that will be necessary to help make the Green Energy Act a reality. More importantly, our partnership with OAHI will allow us to deliver these services throughout the province."

GreenSaver sees the legislation as an opportunity to make significant contributions to Ontario's fight against climate change, and is excited to lend the organization's expertise to this provincial challenge.

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Details about GreenSaver are available at: www.greensaver.org.

For further information, or to arrange interviews, please contact:
Tracy Chong, GreenSaver, 416-203-3106 or 416.797.7210 (cell)

GreenSaver is an independent non-profit corporation dedicated to environmental energy efficiency. They have pioneered Ontario residential energy conservation for 25 years with economically viable and environmentally friendly measures to help individuals and organizations with their energy need (www.greensaver.org).